FR3045261A1 - RECEPTION STATION FOR ELECTRONIC APPARATUS NOMADE - Google Patents

Abstract

This docking station comprises a base (6), a first holding member (8) and a second holding member (10) mounted on the base (6) and arranged to bear on two opposite sides of an outline a nomadic electronic device received between the first holding member (8) and the second holding member (10) for holding the nomadic electronic device, the first holding member (8) being slidably mounted relative to the base ( 6) to adjust the spacing between the first holding member (8) and the second holding member (10) according to the dimensions of the nomadic electronic apparatus, and pivoting relative to the base (6) so as to modify an angle between the first holding member (8) and the second holding member (10).

Description

RECEPTION STATION FOR ELECTRONIC APPARATUS NOMADE

The present invention relates to the field of docking stations for nomadic electronic device.

A nomadic electronic device, or mobile, is an electronic device used in displacement without the need for connection. A nomadic electronic device is for example a mobile user terminal, a mobile phone, a smartphone (or "smartphone"), a digital tablet ...

It is possible to provide a motor vehicle with a docking station adapted to maintain a mobile electronic device, and possibly to form a communication interface between the nomadic electronic device and an electronic system embedded in the vehicle, for example an audio system, a multimedia system or an infotainment system.

It is desirable that a docking station installed in a motor vehicle is easy to use.

One of the aims of the invention is to propose a docking station for portable electronic device that is easy to use. For this purpose, the invention proposes a docking station for mobile electronic device, the docking station comprising a base, a first holding member and a second holding member mounted on the base and arranged to bear on two opposite sides of a contour of a nomadic electronic device received between the first holding member and the second holding member, the first holding member being slidably mounted relative to the base to adjust the spacing between the first holding member and the second holding member according to the dimensions of the nomadic electronic device, and pivotable relative to the base so as to modify an angle between the first holding member and the second holding member.

The docking station optionally comprises one or more of the following features, taken separately or in any technically possible combination: it comprises a mechanical locking device configured to lock the first sliding holding member relative to the base, the locking device being configured to be selectively activated or deactivated due to rotation of the first holding member relative to the base; the mechanical locking device comprises a locking pin carried by the first holding member and a plurality of housings along which the locking finger moves during a sliding of the first holding member relative to the base, the rotation the first holding member relative to the base causing engagement of the finger in one of the housing; it comprises a return spring arranged to urge the first member for keeping in rotation with respect to the base in the direction of increasing the angle between the first holding member and the second holding member and / or sliding in the direction of approximation of the first holding member and the second holding member; - The first holding member and the second holding member have a rest configuration in which they form a non-zero angle between them and a holding configuration in which they are substantially parallel to each other; the first holding member and the second holding member in rest configuration have first remote ends and second close ends, the axis of rotation of the first holding member relative to the base is offset along the first member; holding, on the side of the second end of the first holding member, relative to the middle of the first holding member; - The second holding member is rotatably mounted relative to the base, the axes of rotation of the first holding member and the second holding member relative to the base being separate and parallel to each other; the second holding member is fixed in translation relative to the base. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with a docking station as defined above. The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the description which will follow, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIGS. 1 and 2 are front views of FIG. a docking station for receiving a nomadic electronic device, respectively in the absence and in the presence of a nomadic electronic device; and - Figure 3 is a partial rear view of the docking station of Figures 1 and 2, illustrating a mechanical device for locking a holding member of the docking station.

The docking station 2 of Figures 1 and 2 is designed to receive nomadic electronic devices of different sizes.

Nomadic or mobile electronic devices are electronic devices that are suitable for use when traveling without the need for connection. A mobile electronic device is for example a mobile user terminal, a mobile phone, a smartphone (or "smartphone"), a digital tablet ...

The docking station 2 is represented without a portable electronic device received in the docking station 2 in FIG. 1 and with a mobile electronic device 4 received in the docking station 2 in FIG. 2.

The docking station 2 comprises a base 6, and a first holding member (or first blocker) 8 and a second holding member (or second blocker) 10 mounted on the base 6, the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 being provided to maintain the nomadic electronic device 4 between them bearing on two opposite sides 12 of the contour 14 of the nomadic electronic device 4 (Figure 2).

The first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 delimit between them a receiving space 16 for receiving the nomadic electronic device 4.

The docking station 2 is more particularly designed to receive a nomadic electronic device 4 having in front view an outline 14 of generally rectangular shape, bearing on two parallel sides 12 of the contour 14 of the nomadic electronic device 4.

The first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are each elongate and provided to bear against a side 12 along the latter.

The first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 extend respectively in a first extension direction D1 and a second extension direction D2. The first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are each substantially rectilinear respectively in the first extension direction D1 and the second extension direction D2.

The first extension direction D1 and the second extension direction D2 are substantially coplanar. They are located in a reception plane P, here the plane of Figures 1 and 2.

The first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are provided to receive the nomadic electronic device 4 between them. The nomadic electronic device 4 received between the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 has its front face 4A extending substantially parallel to the receiving plane P. The spacing between the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 is adjustable according to the dimensions of the nomadic electronic device 4, and more particularly according to the distance between two opposite sides 12 on which the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are placed in support .

The first holding member 8 is slidably mounted relative to the base 6 to move the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 away from each other according to the dimensions of the nomadic electronic device 4. , and more particularly as a function of the distance between the opposite sides 12 on which the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are placed in abutment.

The first holding member 8 is slidably mounted along a slideway 18 provided on the base 6. The slideway 18 is here rectilinear and extends in a sliding direction C. The sliding direction C extends along the plane Reception P.

The second holding member 10 is here mounted motionless in translation relative to the base 6. Thus, only the first holding member 8 is movable in translation relative to the base 6.

The first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are rotatably mounted relative to each other.

The first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are movable relative to each other, between a rest configuration (Figure 1) in which the first extension direction D1 and the second extension direction D2 make a non-zero angle between them, and a holding configuration (Figure 2) in which the first extension direction D1 and the second extension direction D2 are substantially parallel to each other.

The first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are in the rest configuration in the absence of nomadic electronic device 4 inserted between the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10, and are in holding configuration in the presence of a nomadic electronic device 4 inserted between the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10.

In the idle configuration, the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 have first ends 8A, 10A farther (on the left in FIG. 1) and second ends 8B, 10B which are closer (on the right in FIG. 1).

In the idle configuration, the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 converge towards one another in a direction (to the right in FIG. 1). The reception space 16 narrows gradually in this direction (to the right in Figure 1).

In the holding configuration, the distance between the first ends 8A, 10A is substantially equal to the distance between the second ends 8B, 10B.

In holding configuration, the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 bear against two opposite sides 12 of the nomadic electronic device 4 and are substantially parallel to each other.

In holding configuration, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are parallel to each other and to the sides 12 on which the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are supported.

In the holding configuration, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction C. The insertion of a nomadic electronic device 4 between the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 in configuration resting causes the displacement of the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 in the holding configuration.

The first holding member 8 is rotatably mounted relative to the base 6 about a first axis of rotation A1, so as to modify the angle between the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10, plus particularly between the first extension direction D1 and the second extension direction D2.

The first axis of rotation A1 is perpendicular to the receiving plane P including the first extension direction D1 and the second extension direction D2. The first axis of rotation A1 is positioned along the first holding member 8 being offset with respect to the middle of the first holding member 8, on the side of the second end 8B of the first holding member 8.

The second holding member 10 is also rotatably mounted relative to the base 6 about a second axis of rotation A2. The first axis of rotation A1 and the second axis of rotation A2 are parallel and distinct from each other. The second axis of rotation A2 is positioned along the second holding member 10 being offset with respect to the middle of the second holding member 10 on the side of the second end 10B of the second holding member 10.

The second holding member 10 has a single degree of freedom with respect to the base 20, namely the rotation about the second axis of rotation A2.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the docking station 2 comprises a return spring 20 arranged to urge the first holding member 8 in rotation so as to increase the angle defined between the first holding member 8 and the second holding member. 10, more particularly between the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

The return spring 20 is arranged between the first holding member 8 and the base 6 so as to bias the first holding member 8 in the direction of increasing the angle defined between the first holding member 8 and the second retaining member 10. The return spring 18 is here arranged to operate in tension.

The return spring 20 biases the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 so that they bear against one another by their second ends 8B, 10B close in rest configuration (FIG. 1).

In addition, the return spring 20 is arranged to urge the first holding member 8 in sliding along the slideway 18 in the direction of a bringing together of the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the slideway 18 is formed by a slot, and the first holding member 8 is rigidly connected to a pin 22 extending along the first axis of rotation A1 and slidably received in the slideway 18 for rotation. the first holding member 8 relative to the base 6 around the first axis of rotation A1 and the sliding guide of the first holding member 8 along the slide 2. The pin 22 is rigidly connected to an arm 24 and the spring of return 20 is arranged between the base 6 and the end of the arm 24 remote from the pin 22.

The docking station 2 comprises a mechanical locking device 26 having an inactive configuration, in which the first holding member 8 is free sliding relative to the base 6, and an active configuration, in which the first holding member 8 is slidably locked relative to the base 6.

The mechanical locking device 26 goes from the inactive configuration to the active configuration due to a rotation of the first holding member 8 relative to the base 6.

The mechanical locking device 26 here comprises a locking pin 28 carried by the first holding member 8 and designed to engage selectively in one of a plurality of housings 30 arranged on the base 6 along the slideway 18.

According to the angular position of the first holding member 8 relative to the base 6, the locking pin 28 is clear of any housing 30 and the first holding member 8 is free to slide along the slide 18 (Figure 3), or engaged in a housing 30 and the first holding member 8 is slidably locked along the slide 18

In operation, the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are initially in the rest configuration (Figure 1). The mechanical locking device 26 is in an inactive configuration (FIG. 3) due to the orientation of the first holding member 8 around the first axis of rotation A1.

To place the nomadic electronic device 4 on the docking station 2, the user engages the nomadic electronic device 4 between the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10, on the side of the first ends 8A, 10A remote towards the second ends 8B, 10B near (arrows S in Figure 1).

In doing so, the nomadic electronic device 4 is supported by two corners 32 of its contour 14 on the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10. The user pushes the nomadic electronic device 4 to slide it between the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10.

At the beginning, the corners 32 of the nomadic electronic device 4 are in contact with the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 between the axes of rotation A1, A2 and the first remote ends, and urge the first member of holding 8 and the second retaining member 10 in rotation in the direction of increasing the angle between the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10.

By engaging the nomadic electronic device 4 between the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10, the wedges 32 in contact with the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 slide along the latter, and the nomadic electronic device 4 tends to progressively move the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 away from each other. The first holding member 8 slides along the slide 18 away from the second holding member 10.

When the corners 32 exceed the first axis of rotation A1 and the second axis of rotation A2, the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 pivot respectively about the first axis of rotation A1 and the second axis of rotation A2 and each plate against a side 12 of the mobile electronic device 4. The mechanical locking device 26 comes into active configuration and blocks the translation of the first holding member 8. The spacing between the first holding member 8 and the second member of 10 is held by the mechanical locking device 26.

To remove the portable electronic device 4 from the docking station 2, the user can simply extract it perpendicularly to the reception plane P or slide it between the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 in direction reverse direction of insertion (to the left in Figure 2). The insertion of the mobile electronic device 4 in the docking station 2 is easy for the user.

Due to the insertion, the spacing between the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 automatically adjusts. In addition, the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are locked in position. The maintenance of the nomadic electronic device 4 is reliable.

The tilting of the first holding member 8, and here also of the second holding member 10, provides a visual indication to the user of the correct insertion of the nomadic electronic device 4. This avoids any incorrect installation of a nomadic electronic device 4 in the docking station 2.

It results from the shift of the first axis of rotation A1 and the second axis of rotation A2 along the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 that the insertion of the nomadic electronic device 4 sequentially causes the spacing of the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 and the rotation of the first holding member 8, which facilitates the insertion of the nomadic electronic device 4 by the user.

The docking station 2 here comprises a first holding member end portion 34 and a second holding member end portion 36 carried by the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 respectively. their second ends close in rest configuration.

In the rest configuration (FIG. 1), the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 bear against one another via the first holding member end portion 34 and of the second holding member end portion 36.

Optionally, the docking station 2 comprises an electronic communication device for communicating with a mobile electronic device received on the docking station 2. The communication device is for example a wireless communication device, including a communication device by radio waves, for example according to a communication protocol Wifi or Bluetooth.

In Figure 1, the first holding member end portion 34 and the second holding member end portion 36 are provided with controls 38 for controlling the nomadic electronic device 4 installed on the station. home 2 and in communication with the docking station 2 via a communication device of the docking station 2. Other embodiments of the docking station are conceivable.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the first holding member 8 is slidably and rotationally movable about one axis with respect to the base 6, and the second holding member 10 is movable only in rotation about an axis with respect to the base 6.

In another embodiment, the second holding member 10 is fixed in rotation with respect to the base 6. The second holding member 10 is therefore stationary relative to the base 6, in rotation as in translation. The insertion of the nomadic electronic device 4 proceeds in the same manner, except that the second holding member 10 remains motionless in rotation. When the wedge 32 in contact with the first holding member 8 exceeds the first axis of rotation A1, the first holding member 8 pivots about the first axis of rotation A1 and is pressed against a side 12 of the nomadic electronic device 4. The mechanical locking device 26 is in active configuration and blocks the translation of the first holding member 8.

In another embodiment, the second holding member 10 is mounted on the base 6 in a manner similar to the first holding member 8, that is to say being mounted movable in translation to move the first member away from or towards 8 and the second holding member 10 of each other depending on the dimensions of the nomadic electronic device to receive, and in rotation relative to the base 6.

In this case, the docking station 2 preferably comprises a locking device arranged between the second holding member 10 and the base 6, similar to that arranged between the first holding member 8 and the base 6.

In this case also, the docking station 2 comprises a return spring arranged between the base 6 and the first holding member 8 and another return spring arranged between the base 6 and the second holding member 10, the springs of reminder acting on the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 in the direction of an increase in the angle defined between them the first extension direction D1 and the second extension direction D2.

Alternatively, the docking station 2 comprises a return spring disposed between the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 and acting thereon in the direction of an increase in the angle defined between them. first direction of extension D1 and the second direction of extension D2. Such a spring is for example arranged to push the first ends of the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 away from each other or to pull the second ends of the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 towards one another.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are designed to bear on two horizontal sides of the nomadic electronic device 4. The first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 in the holding configuration extend substantially horizontally.

In a variant, the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are provided for resting on two vertical sides of the nomadic electronic device 4. The first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 in a configuration of FIG. maintaining extend substantially vertically.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are designed to bear respectively on an upper side and a lower side of the nomadic electronic device 4.

Alternatively, the configuration is reversed and the first holding member 8 and the second holding member 10 are provided to bear respectively on a lower side and an upper side of the nomadic electronic device 4.

Claims (9)

1 docking station for portable electronic device, the docking station comprising a base (6), a first holding member (8) and a second holding member (10) mounted on the base (6) and arranged to come resting on two opposite sides of an outline of a nomadic electronic device received between the first holding member (8) and the second holding member (10) for holding the nomadic electronic device, the first holding member (8). ) being slidably mounted relative to the base (6) to adjust the spacing between the first holding member (8) and the second holding member (10) according to the dimensions of the nomadic electronic apparatus, and pivoting relative to at the base (6) so as to modify an angle between the first holding member (8) and the second holding member (10). 2. - Docking station according to claim 1, comprising a mechanical locking device (26) configured to lock the first sliding holding member relative to the base (6), the locking mechanical device (26) being configured to be selectively activated or deactivated due to rotation of the first holding member (8) relative to the base (6). 3. - Docking station according to claim 2, wherein the mechanical locking device (26) comprises a locking pin (28) carried by the first holding member (8) and a plurality of housing (30) along of which the locking finger (28) moves during a sliding of the first holding member (8) relative to the base, the rotation of the first holding member relative to the base causing engagement of the finger (28) in one of the dwellings (30). 4. Docking station according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a return spring (20) arranged to urge the first holding member (8) in rotation relative to the base (6) in the direction of an increase in the angle between the first holding member (8) and the second holding member (10) and / or sliding in the direction of a bringing together of the first holding member (8) and the second holding member (10). 5. Docking station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first holding member (8) and the second holding member (10) have a rest configuration in which they form a non-zero angle between them. and a holding configuration in which they are substantially parallel to each other. 6. - Docking station according to claim 5, wherein the first holding member (8) and the second holding member (10) in the rest configuration have first ends (8A, 10A) distant and second ends close (8B, 10B), the axis of rotation (A1) of the first holding member (8) relative to the base (6) is shifted along the first holding member (8) on the side of the second end (8B) of the first holding member (8), relative to the middle of the first holding member (8). 7. Docking station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second holding member (10) is rotatably mounted relative to the base (6), the axes of rotation (A1, A2) of the first member. holding (8) and the second holding member (10) relative to the base (6) being distinct and parallel to each other. 8. Docking station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second holding member (10) is fixed in translation relative to the base (6). 9. - Motor vehicle equipped with a docking station according to any one of the preceding claims.